DAY 7: NAURO TO UA ULE CREEK - THURSDAY 23 APRIL

It was a tough trek out of camp to start to the day with a climb for 60 minutes and this definitely got the lungs pumping. At the top was some amazing views of the Maguli Ranges, where it was reported the Japanese could see the lights of Moresby. Then a long hike down and across for 90 minutes for a break, before another 60 minutes for another short break. Then a small hike down to Ofi Creek for a swim and up-to the campsite for morning tea.

Back onto the track after morning tea for what many said was one of the toughest climbs of the trek to date, up Irobaiwa Ridge; this was the final advance of the main Japanese army. Here the trekkers dropped their packs and took a short 15-minute hike to see some Japanese slit trenches and Ammunition Dump before trekking back to the track and down the ridge to the Village of Irobaiwa for lunch.

After lunch the trekkers hiked down to Ua Ule Creek for a quick break before trekking across the creek a dozen or so times, on the way to the Ua Ule creek camp site for their final night on the Kokoda track. After arriving in camp in good spirits they are now enjoying a refreshing swim. They can’t believe it’s their last day of hiking tomorrow. All the trekkers are excited and looking forward to Imita Ridge tomorrow before the finish line, Owers’ Cnr.